Chapter 23: Dog Eats Dog

Li Xianyue surveyed her two daughters with satisfaction. They were blessed with exquisite beauty; who could possibly compare to them?

She took Lu Wanning and Lu Wanhe’s hands, and with a mournful expression, she said, "Everything Mother has done, she has done for your futures."

"My own fate was unfortunate. From birth, I was treated with cold indifference in the Prime Minister's residence. Simply because I was the daughter of a servant, I never held your grandfather's favor."

"Since I was young, whatever was best was always claimed by my older sisters, while I was left with nothing—not even the power to choose from what remained."

"That is why, to marry into the Lu family and become the mistress of the house, I had to employ many schemes to succeed."

"I have tasted bitterness, and I do not wish for you to suffer the same."

"Therefore, I must pave the way for you, so that you may have no cause for worry."

"Your brother is the only male heir of the Lu family; he naturally has the love of your grandmother and father. Do you understand your mother's painstaking efforts?"

As she spoke, Li Xianyue actually shed tears.

"Mother, I understand. All these years, the family at the Prime Minister's residence has summoned you at their whim and dismissed you just as easily. You have suffered." Lu Wanning gripped Li Xianyue’s hands, comforting her with teary eyes.

"Mother, please rest assured. Once I marry Prince Yuan, I will surely make you proud. I will never let you down."

"My sister and I will work together to ensure you rise above everyone else." Lu Wanhe spoke as she wiped away her mother's tears.

Li Xianyue felt deeply comforted; having such precious daughters was her greatest blessing.

Back in her room, Lu Wanning sat at the table, unable to calm her heart for a long time. She replayed her mother’s words over and over, and the more she thought, the more uneasy she felt.

Why should Lu Wanhe marry into power while she was to be married off to a merchant?

No matter how wealthy a merchant is, aren't they still considered inferior in the face of power? If not, why do so many people marry off their daughters to merchants and yet still look down upon their status?

It was clearly favoritism, yet it was masked with such high-sounding excuses.

She was unwilling to accept this. Since childhood, she had always yielded to Lu Wanhe, but when it came to the matter of marriage, she refused to give in. She had lived long enough in Lu Wanhe’s shadow. After marriage, she would never allow her own children to be subservient to Lu Wanhe’s offspring.

A seed of resentment began to sprout in Lu Wanning’s heart.

Lu Wanhe was not idle either. Upon returning to Baoyue Pavilion, she gently touched the medicine Li Xianyue had given her.

"Eldest Miss, what is this?" asked Yueya as she served her a cup of tea.

"Yueya, do you think I am beautiful?"

"Of course, Eldest Miss is beautiful. No one can compare to you."

"Your mouth is always so sweet." Lu Wanhe touched her own face. "How ridiculous—to think she wants to compete with me. It is nothing but a pipe dream," she muttered to herself.

Deep down, she was extremely dissatisfied with Lu Wanning’s words from earlier. As a secondary daughter, how dare she compare herself to her? And to harbor delusions of marrying into the royal family? The only daughter worthy of marrying into the palace was her, Lu Wanhe.

"Eldest Miss, what do you mean? Who could possibly compete with you? In my eyes, no one in this capital can match your beauty and talent. It is no wonder the young master of the Zhuang estate is so utterly infatuated with you," Yueya said, massaging Lu Wanhe’s shoulders.

"Hmph, him? He wants to marry me?" Lu Wanhe said with disdain. "If not for the sake of the Marquis of Dongyang’s estate, I wouldn't even bother with him. He has been trailing behind me like a lost puppy since we were children; I can’t shake him off."

"The person I, Lu Wanhe, marry will be a dragon among men. Zhuang Huaijin isn't even fit to carry my shoes."

A flicker of confusion appeared in Yueya’s eyes. "Is that why you tried to set him up with the Third Miss?"

"Lu Lanxi was never worthy of him, but I still have use for him." Lu Wanhe’s face darkened. "It’s just a pity that the wretch Lu Lanxi went back on her word at the last minute and even baited Zhuang Huaijin into professing his love for me in public, leaving me in such a difficult position. I have noted this debt."

Lu Wanhe gritted her teeth in anger.

The autumn air was crisp and refreshing. Lu Lanxi and Baizhi left the estate with some silver. The bustling streets were filled with a constant stream of people and carriages, noisy and vibrant.

Lu Lanxi and Baizhi visited a renowned clothing shop and chose three garments: one white, elegant and pure; one black, capable and steady; and one red, as flamboyant as fire.

They reflected the state of mind of Lu Lanxi, who had been reborn into this life. She hoped her heart would remain clean and clear, her thoughts mature and steady, and her actions passionate and decisive.

"Baizhi, what do you want to eat? My treat."

"Ah, Miss, this..."

"Don't be so hesitant. You’ve suffered quite a bit staying by my side all these years. Let me treat you to a good meal so my heart can feel a little better."

After saying this, Lu Lanxi took Baizhi to the famous restaurant, Zuixian Pavilion. Here, one could not only enjoy unique delicacies but also listen to musicians play, hear songs, and watch dancers perform.

"Miss, do you really want to go in there?"

"Hmm..."

"Miss, perhaps we should go somewhere else. It is not appropriate for an unmarried young lady like you to go there."

"Why is it not appropriate? Are you saying only men are allowed to go?"

"It’s not that, but I have heard that this is a place of pleasure. The women who come here for entertainment are not the respectable ladies of noble families..."

"Baizhi, all people are born equal. Even the women in these pleasure houses are not necessarily inferior to those from noble families. Furthermore, the girls here sell their art, not their bodies. No one has the right to judge them. In my eyes, they are not inferior."

"But if the Master and Madam find out, they will surely punish you, Miss."

"Ha. When I was obedient and well-behaved, did I receive any fewer punishments? Since I am bound to be punished regardless, I might as well live as I please."

Baizhi nodded in agreement; her mistress was as kind as ever. The two stepped into Zuixian Pavilion.

In the past, when she came to such places, she had always been a mere follower of Lu Wanhe, only able to watch from the sidelines. Today, she would finally take charge of her own life.

Baizhi picked an inconspicuous corner to sit. "Miss, let’s sit here, just in case we are seen by prying eyes. Miss, do you want to wear the black or the white veil..."

Lu Lanxi smiled helplessly. Just as she sat down, she saw Baizhi produce a veil and a black cloth, reaching out to put them on her.

"What are you doing?" Lu Lanxi was surprised; this girl had certainly prepared well for their outing.

"Wearing these will prevent anyone from recognizing you."

"Baizhi, aren't you just drawing attention to us? The more cautious we are, the more likely we are to be noticed."

Baizhi was very good at protecting and caring for others, but she was sometimes a bit slow-witted. She awkwardly rubbed her fuzzy head; she was truly foolish, while her mistress was the wise one.

Lu Lanxi ordered a table full of fine food and a pot of good wine. Just as she was enjoying the leisure of the moment, a sudden commotion erupted from downstairs.